Iran 'plot for Operation Spiderweb-style mass drone attack in the UK' made US withdraw bombers from RAF Fairford

The US pulled bombers from an RAF base in Britain following fears about a possible drone attack similar to Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb, sources claimed today.Pentagon officials were allegedly worried about a copycat attack on RAF Fairford by Iran, following the operation in June 2025 which destroyed ten Russian aircraft.Spiderweb saw drones smuggled into Russia by lorry drivers who carried them to locations near airbases but were unaware of their cargo, before they were launched.American military chiefs were concerned the Iranians might copy those tactics in Gloucestershire and that drones could already be in the UK, sources told ITV News.Sources in Washington also suggested to the BBC that there were fears in the US over sabotage attempts or efforts to hit the aircraft if hostilities with Iran resumed.It comes after President Donald Trump revealed there were 'some threats' that led the US to pull the bombers on Sunday, adding that they 'didn't fly out by accident'.Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had sought to play down the withdrawal of the planes after suggestions the move was linked to security concerns.The top diplomat would not link the departure of the jets to the recent suspected terror plot targeting the base on September 27. But asked as he left the White House yesterday if the planes had been moved in response to a threat, Mr Trump said: 'Yeah, I think we can say that. B-1 bombers take off as they depart for home at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Sunday A B-1 bomber leaves RAF Fairford on Sunday as the US withdraws its bombers from the base'They didn't fly out by accident. No, but there were some threats and rather than tempting the enemy, we'll capture the enemy and beat the enemy.'But why should we keep them there? So we moved them around a little bit, not very far.'He added: 'We actually know the people who made the threat.'US Vice President JD Vance said the planes had been redeployed 'out of an abundance of caution, trying to protect our guys'.Speaking as he left Washington to travel to Alaska, he told reporters: 'I think that we're going to be as careful as we possibly can be.'He added: 'We do feel with some confidence that the Iranians are, you know, they're trying to do what the Iranian state has done for 49 years, which is engage in acts of terrorism against the United States and against a lot of other people as well, so we are being extremely cautious.'But Mr Rubio said he 'wouldn't directly tie' the redeployment of the planes to the recent security alert close to the base.He added: 'It's not unusual to see movement of assets to different parts of the world based on exercises, redeployments, people changing out and new people coming in, new planes coming in and old planes going out.'Six men have been arrested over the past week in connection with a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, which had been hosting US bombers involved in strikes against Iran. Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb saw drones smuggled into Russia by lorry drivers in July 2025 Russian TU-95 Bear bombers at the Olenya airbase on being destroyed by Ukrainian drones Ukrainian drones were smuggled into Russia in containers disguised as modular homes Russia's Belaya air base in Irkutsk, Siberia, was set on fire after the drone strike by UkraineThe Pentagon confirmed on Sunday that the aircraft that were stationed at the base had been 'redeployed to their home stations in the United States', but stressed the US Air Force retained the ability to strike 'anywhere, any time'.US officials told The New York Times the redeployment of the bombers had been ordered after more specific details about threats to the base emerged over the weekend.Mr Rubio said he had confidence in the security of all US bases, adding: 'With the Brits, we've worked very closely for a long time, including on this investigation, and they couldn't be more co-operative.' Yesterday, Downing Street declined to comment on the withdrawal of US bombers but insisted RAF Fairford was safe.The five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, arrested near the base on September 27 have since been released on bail.A sixth man, a 25-year-old dual UK-Iranian national, arrested on October 1, has also been released on bail.Prime Minister Andy Burnham said last week there were 'strong indications' that Iran played a part in the incident.Counter-terror police have said a quantity of petrol but no explosive devices were found in the vans that sparked the security alert.RAF Fairford has been used in recent months by US bombers after former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer granted Washington permission to use British bases for 'defensive' strikes against Tehran during the Middle East war.The five British men are arrested near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire early on September 27 The three white vans are investigated by a robot after the alleged plot near RAF FairfordLast Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel had handed Britain intelligence about the suspected terror plot.Mr Netanyahu said his country warned UK authorities about the 'Iranian-sponsored attack' shortly before Britain's announcement of a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.Earlier in the week, Mr Trump said he was 'disappointed' after the five men were released on bail.He told reporters: 'We were involved in (the investigation), but as you know, your fellow countrymen let them go.'Well, they didn't let them go. They put them out on bail. I assume they haven't watched closely… they should not have done that.'Meanwhile Kemi Badenoch vowed Britain will be protected from air attack by its own 'Iron Dome' defences under a Tory government.The Conservative leader announced plans for a £10billion system, dubbed Britannia Shield, to guard cities, power plants and Army bases from missiles and drones fired by enemies such as Russia or Iran.Similar to the hardware used by Israel to defend itself, it would provide a network of radar, command and control systems, interceptors and counter-drone capabilities.READ MORE: Tories vow to build £10billion 'Britannia Shield' to defend Britain from drones and missiles